Book #21: Before You Know Kindness

Title: Before You Know Kindness


Author: Chris Bohjalian


I read Chris Bohjalian's novel Midwives a few years ago (and no, I wasn't pregnant at the time, thank goodness) and was really struck by the shades of gray and the way he explored guilt and accountability.


In a lot of ways, Before You Know Kindness reminds me of Midwives. In each book a tragic accident occurs (in this book, a 12 year-old accidentally shoots her PETA-esque activist father with her uncle's hunting rifle). In each case, the actions of several people led to the accident, and most of the book deals with how those people and their families process the guilt. Just like Midwives,  I found the book totally interesting and engrossing.


Mostly, though, Before You Know Kindness is the story of what happens to a family when tragedy strikes. Some families draw closer to each other and become stronger because of the tragedy. Others fall apart. And others, like the Setons, take a while to figure out whether they'll come together or go their separate ways.


--originally published 4/11/06